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Swagga T
Some names have true meaning and they carry the person or place for real. Imagine naming your child Princess and she grows up behaving like a princess, won’t it be wonderful?
Well, this is the story set to be told later this month when Masvingo-based school, Pamushana High, will make a debut at HIFA.

The school, which came tops at the Youth Cultural Festival with their drama last year, will shine at the biggest festival in the country when it roars into life on April 29-May 5.

True, Masvingo province is slowly becoming a household name in the arts and the representation by Pamushana High School is a clear indication on cultural pride.

Speaking to CLS, Pamushana High School student Farirai Mugova, (U6) hailed the move by HIFA to give students, especially aspiring actors, a chance to shine.

“It is with great honour that we have been selected to showcase our talent at this year’s edition of HIFA.

“Actually I am happy for my school and promise to deliver the best of the best,” he said.

Farirai said preparations are already at an advanced stage.

“We have started rehearsing and we are not representing Masvingo but the teen-ville of Zimbabwe, especially the aspiring actors. We are working on some themes and have done our dress rehearsal as we wait for the day,” he said.

“Teens have talent and adults should know how passionate we are when we do our stuff,” he said.

He said the platform will give the school a chance to exchange tips with international artistes.

“We are the reigning champions twice in a row and we would like to thank our teachers for script writing and directing, not forgetting our parents with their tremendous support. It is our dream come true and we will make it happen,” he said.

Yocaf programmes manager, Michael Kalongonda, said they were happy with the opportunity as it will go a long way in developing the arts sector.

“This partnership with Hifa is a welcome development for our growing festival as it gives the youth the opportunity to brush shoulders with the best of the best in the industry,” he said.

Kalongonda said Yocaf’s focus is on empowering the youths, especially those from Masvingo district.

“Our programme concentrates on the students on how to activate and inspire them, how to induce self-discipline, and how to help them to discover the joys of learning, the uniqueness of their beings, the wonders and possibilities of life, the satisfaction of achievement, and the revelations that literacy, broadly defined, provides.

“The arts are a central and fundamental means to attain these objectives,” he explains.

Meanwhile, HIFA head of media and community liaison, Tafadzwa Simba, has confirmed the latest development.

“HIFA has always been closely aligned to young people. HIFA deliberately works with young people in the staging of the event. This is because the organisation believes in giving young people choices that will help them to develop into creative, productive citizens.

“One of the areas in which HIFA encourages this creativity is the performance arts, and HIFA is excited at giving schoolchildren the opportunity to perform,” he said.

As usual, CLS will be there, especially at the Simba Youthzone.

See you at HIFA.